Inverleith Park and Calton Hill are being recommended by the council as the best public places to view the Bank of Scotland Fireworks Concert this year due to the closure of much of Princes Street for laying of the Edinburgh tram tracks.
The Fireworks Concert, at 9pm on Sunday 6 September, is the grand finale of the Edinburgh International Festival, with a huge display above Edinburgh Castle that can be viewed from vantage points all over Edinburgh.
However, as the tramworks are ongoing, there will be no festival crowds gathering along Princes Street this year to watch the display.
An Edinburgh City Council release today advises:
"A multi-agency decision has been taken that there will be no viewing facilities on Princes Street this year on grounds of public safety. The public is being advised only to come to Princes Street if they have a ticket to the Bank of Scotland Fireworks Concert in Princes Street Gardens or the Ross Theatre."
It continues: "Following a meeting to discuss the planning for this event, all agencies (the Council's Public Safety unit, Lothian & Borders Police, Lothian & Borders Fire and Rescue, Scottish Ambulance Service) were in agreement that it would not be viable on public safety grounds to have viewing areas on Princes Street this year."
Calton Hill this year will have amplified speakers for the first time for the gathered throng of fireworks-watchers. As in previous years, Inverleith Park's "Family Viewing Area", will have a big screen with amplified sound live from the Ross Theatre from 7pm.
In addition to viewing facilities at Calton Hill and Inverleith Park there will also be managed viewing areas on both North Bridge and Waverley Bridge. Waverley Bridge will be completely closed to traffic for the event while only
the western carriageway of North Bridge will be closed to traffic.
People with tickets to the Ross Theatre and Princes Street Gardens will be able to view the concert as normal.
Access for ticket holders will be:
a) Via South Charlotte Street to the west gate of West Princes Street Gardens
b) Via Mound to the east gate of West Princes Street Gardens
c) Via Kings Stable Road Entrance of West Princes Street Gardens
d) Via west gate of West Princes Street Gardens
Council Leader Jenny Dawe said: "While it is unfortunately not
viable on the grounds of public safety to allow viewing areas on
Princes Street this year, Inverleith Park and Calton Hill are spacious
alternative areas commanding splendid views of Edinburgh Castle."
Councillor Steve Cardownie, Festivals and Events Champion, said: "This iconic event has been thrilling audiences for years and this year's concert of Handel's most famous works promises to be another truly spectacular occasion. Enhanced viewing facilities at Calton Hill and in Inverleith Park will enable people to enjoy the best possible view. We are confident that it will be business as usual again next year."